Gibson TRI-4 Wedge Bridge Patent, no. 4,385,543

The TRI-4, or wedge, bridge, was designed by the Gibson R&D department in Kalamazoo, by Tim Shaw and Chuck Burge - initially appearing on the first bass that they designed together, the Gibson Victory, and later the Explorer. The TRI-4 was a real step forward from the three point tune-o-matic fitted to the majority of Gibson basses prior to this time, with each saddle being separately adjustable in all three axes, without any need to raise posts (and hence the bridge base unit itself). A very similar bridge is still used by Gibson to date.

The patent, no. 4,385,543, entitled 'Adjustable Bridge for a Stringed Musical Instrument' was filed in June 1981, and granted in May 1983. At the same time, a separate design patent (no. 269,524) was filed for the design of the Victory bass itself, also granted in 1983.

The bridge units themselves, although designed in the US, were manufactured for Gibson by Schaller in West Germany.

For more information and images (both unmounted and in situ) of this bridge unit, see the FlyGuitars page dedicated to this bridge here, and the original description in the 1981 Gibson Victory bass owners manual.

Gibson adjustable bridge patent, filed 1981, granted 1983 - page 1

Gibson adjustable bridge patent, filed 1981, granted 1983 - page 2

Gibson adjustable bridge patent, filed 1981, granted 1983 - page 3

Gibson Victory bass for sale

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Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'

Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

This a killer bass and a total P bass killer. Gibson released these to compete with the p bass and they are far, far, better quality. Mahogany body, Mable neck, brass nut, active and passive humbuckers with MOOG electronics! All original with the original case. The original case is pretty beat up with a buckle replaced but still road Worthy. Original paperwork still with it. The guitar is set up to play easy with a low action and great sound. One bridge saddle is missing the riser but works ... more

Vintage 1981 Gibson VICTORY STANDARD BASS with Original Case Candy Apple Red

Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1295

This bass has been heavily played but it's almost all original. The only non-original items I can find are the pickguard screws and strap buttons. There are lots of nicks, dings, and paint chips on the body. There is a lot of belt buckle wear. There's pitting on the bridge. The frets and fingerboard are in surprisingly nice shape. The action is good for a vintage bass. Pots date 1378046 and 1377??? (can't read last 3 digits) There is heavy checking, some loss of the finish, and some delamination... more

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR

Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1750

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - Serial # 81831614 - 1981 - Monday July 2nd - Nashville TN - Production # 614, beautiful original guitar, professional players guitar, the case was made by Quest https: / / authorityguitar com / gibson-serial-number-lookup-decoder /

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Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Guitar ~ Candy Apple Red ~ Nashville

Santa Ana, California, 927**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1300

Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Guitar ~ Candy Apple Red ~ Nashville
Model: 1981 Gibson Victory Standard bassPickups: One Series VIIB humbucker Scale: 34 " Body: Eastern hard-rock maple. 19 1 / 2" long, 13" wide, 1 3 / 4" thick. Overall length 47 " Neck: 24 fret, two-octave maple bolt-on neck. Rosewood fingerboard. Width at nut 1 6875 " Hardware: Chrome throughout: TRI-4 wedge bridge, Gotah machine heads

Pleasetake advantage of the zoom feature on the photos to judge ... more

Gibson Victory Bass 1981 Vintage USA Kahler Tremolo Thunderbird Headstock

Southend-on-Sea, SS1***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1999

1981 Gibson Victory Bass with Thunderbird headstock and a USA Kahler bass tremolo system in a stunning natural finish. This is simply the coolest bass guitar we have ever had at the studio. This is a rare model that looks epic, sounds epic and plays amazingly well! Very rare to get an 80's bass with a Kahler tremolo. The few we've ever had have sold instantly, as these systems are valuable and highly sought after. The Thunderbird headstock looks so cool, and you can't go wrong with a name like ... more

VINTAGE 1982 USA GIBSON VICTORY BASS GUITAR TUNER

Monza, 20***, ITALY

€50

Early eighties Gotoh tuners part number 14102.
Gibson used these on the Victory Standard and Victory Artist basses from 1981, and occasionally the Victory Custom later in 1982
Hard to find, very rare and no longer produced
Very good condition, see pictures
Price for one tuner, available 4 tuners
Private auction, non guarantee
European bidders please email me for postage costs
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Gibson TRI-4 bass bridge patent